Do i have social anxiety disorder?

Question

The idea of doing a public speech terrifies me, and it has been affecting my performance at school, instead of going to speech class I just walk around the halls or i go home. I'm uncomfortable around people i dont know, but the more I interact with them, then i can socialize better, and i have trouble making friends, because i'm afraid to go up to someone and interact.

Answer 1

yes it sounds very much like you have social anxiety.

i have it also, i had a super tough time when i was in school. i was so quiet in 9th grade, that no one noticed me in my math class until about half the quarter had gone by. they asked if i had been in the class the whole quarter, and i had.

if you can muster up the courage to see a doctor, meds will definitely help you! they helped me when i was younger. you will feel soo much better, trust me. good luck :)

Answer 2

This phobia is very common. If you feel more comfortable after you start to talk to someone, then in your head you know it's possible that you can make friends. You just need to let your guard down a little more when you meet people. The more you let your guard down the more you'll notice how comfortable you are talking to people. There are very few people in this world that can give a speech comfortably. Just know your not alone. When your up there giving your speech, some one else is like OMG I'm next. What I used to do was go first that way its over with, and I get to sit back and watch everyone else feel the same way I just felt. Good luck and hang in there! Your not alone!

Answer 3

Some of the signs and symptoms include:
1. An extreme fear of a situation in which you have to meet new people or you may be scrutinized by others.
2. The feared social situations are experienced with intense anxiety or avoided entirely.
3. The anxiety-provoking social situation causes physical symptoms like blushing, sweating, shaking, trembling, tense muscles, shaky voice, dry mouth or a pounding heart.

The basic symptom of social anxiety disorder is of being very anxious in the presence of others. If you suffer from social anxiety disorder, you may think that other people are very confident in public and you are not. Just blushing may feel horribly embarrassing to you, and you may feel like everyone's eyes are always on you. You may feel anxious about giving a speech, talking to a boss or dating.

Some people with social anxiety disorder are afraid of public speaking or parties. Others feel terrible anxiety about using a public restroom, eating out, talking on the phone or writing in front of others.

Almost everyone experiences some social anxiety now and then; it's normal. However, social anxiety disorder consistently limits the lifestyle of those with the illness, in some cases causing them to not participate in school, avoid making friends or miss important opportunities at work. Some people with social anxiety disorder avoid all socially related situations, severely limiting their life, work and social relationships

Answer 4

Social anxiety disorder – also known as social phobia – is a type of anxiety disorder in which a person feels extremely anxious in certain social situations and has a chronic fear of being judged by others. People with this condition also have an intense fear of embarrassing themselves. About 15 million adult Americans ages 18 and older suffer from social anxiety disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

It's great that you're asking these questions! You can read more about this topic below -- it's excellent info!

http://emotional.health.ivillage.com/anxietydisorders/socialanxietydisorder.cfm

Answer 5

This isn't necessarily indicative of social anxiety disorder, any more than talking to yourself while you're alone is indicative of multiple personalities. Most people i've known over the years are pretty uneasy around people they don't know, and alot of people are terrified of public appearances/speeches. I imagine you're a high school freshman? That's about what i felt like when i was that age. It's part of being part of an artificial society like we find in the schools.

Answer 6

It does sound like you may have it, but you could just be shy. There is a difference between natural shyness and an actual anxiety disorder which causes significant distress that impairs your functioning in life. Don't make the mistake of self-diagnosing based on what you read online. Too many people do that and end up giving themselves mental illnesses they don't even really have. If you really believe you have an anxiety disorder, you should talk to a psychiatrist or other mental health pro about it so they can determine if you really do and make a proper diagnosis. I assume you do not have one now, so my suggestion would be to bring it up with your primary doctor. Based on what you say, he/she may make a referral for you to be evaluated for Social Anxiety Disorder.

Answer 7

You are obviously very shy. Apparently now being shy is "Social Anxiety Disorder". You should face your fear and get it over with and take public speaking, b/c if you are avoiding class and not doing well in school, then there is a problem going on. You need to just feel comfortable, and face your fear and just do it. Once it is over you get a good rush through your body, "Thank God It's Over". If you don't face your fear, then it is just going to get worse until you can't do job interviews or other things that will affect your life.

Answer 8

The way you are describing it, it's hard to say if it's really severe enough to qualify. Maybe you're just shy. How intense is the fear you have? Do you literally panic or just feel uncomfortable? If you do have panic symptoms (excessive sweating, heart pounding, intense fear, etc), and you believe it's causing significant impairment in your normal life's activies; maybe you should talk to a doctor about it.

I copied the following from a web site:

Social Phobia: DSM-IV Criteria


• Severe fear of social situations, so that the person feels very anxious and avoids situations in which they may be negatively evaluated.
• They fear acting in an embarrassing manner or performing inadequately.
• If they are exposed to the situation, they feel intense anxiety, maybe even panic.
• They recognize that the fear is extreme.
• They have significant impairment or distress from the fear and avoidance.

Answer 9

Go to this site to check your symtoms

http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-social-anxiety-disorder

I hope i helped you